Key Highlights
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A large study found that using certain painkillers containing acetaminophen plus opioids like hydrocodone or codeine around the time of conception was linked to a higher risk of severe birth defects with low survival rates. This highlights the importance of careful medication selection for people who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, as safer options like acetaminophen alone were not associated with these risks.
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For children with a type of chronic eye inflammation not linked to arthritis, the drug adalimumab was more effective as a first treatment than the standard methotrexate, especially for inflammation in the back of the eye. This suggests a potential shift in treatment strategy could help more children achieve remission and stop medication sooner.
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A review of six studies found corticosteroid injections may provide short-term pain relief for some children with hip pain or other musculoskeletal issues, but the overall evidence is of very low quality. This means while the shots appear safe in the short term, more and better research is needed to understand their true role and long-term effects in pediatric pain management.
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Children exposed to violence in their neighborhood were significantly more likely to miss routine dental checkups and to delay or skip medical, dental, and mental health care due to cost. This research underscores how social factors like violence create barriers to essential healthcare, worsening health disparities for vulnerable children.
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A procedure that uses a catheter to deactivate nerves in the kidneys has been shown in trials to safely and significantly lower blood pressure in people with hard-to-control hypertension, with effects lasting up to 10 years. Major health guidelines now recommend this option, offering a new tool alongside medications for managing high blood pressure.
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